See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348444102 Chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility and Gas production of four browse species and their combinations used as feed for small ruminants Article  in  West African Journal of Applied Ecology · December 2020 CITATIONS READS 0 134 6 authors, including: Felix Owusu Sarkwa Othusitse Ricky Madibela University of Ghana Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources 23 PUBLICATIONS   26 CITATIONS    84 PUBLICATIONS   366 CITATIONS    SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Tsatsu Adogla-Bessa Wanda N. Mphinyane Evangelical Presbyterian University College University of Botswana 37 PUBLICATIONS   258 CITATIONS    16 PUBLICATIONS   62 CITATIONS    SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Effect of supplementing lablab hay to grazing weaned lambs and kids. View project Traditional Food Resources as Feed Additives in Silage Making View project All content following this page was uploaded by Felix Owusu Sarkwa on 15 January 2021. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility and Gas production of four browse species and their combinations used as feed for small ruminants F.O. Sarkwa1, O. R. Madibela2, T. Adogla-Bessa3, W. N. Mphinyane4, J.S.Perkins5 and E.C. Timpong-Jones6* 1 Felix Owusu Sarkwa- Livestock and Poultry Research Centre, School of Agriculture, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana. 2 Othusitse Ricky Madibela.- Animal Science Department, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gaborone-Botswana, Southern Africa. 3 Tsatsu Adogla-Bessa- Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Evangelical Presbyterian University College, Ho, Ghana. 4 Wanda Nchidzi Mphinyane - Environmental Science Department, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Gaborone-Botswana, Southern Africa. 5 Jeremy Simon Perkins- Environmental Science Department, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Gaborone-Botswana, Southern Africa. 6 Eric Cofie Timpong-Jones- Livestock and Poultry Research Centre, School of Agriculture, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana. *Corresponding author: timpong1@yahoo.com or etimpong-jones@ug.edu.gh Abstract Browse species as complete feed for ruminants is uncommon. This may be due to low dry matter (DM) and high condensed tannins (CT) contents limiting its potential to influence weight gain. Drying however improves DM content and reduces CT levels and its astringency. The objective of this study was to determine chemical composition, in vitro parameters and to evaluate the potential benefits of feeding small ruminants on dried browse leaves and their combinations. The browse species were Albizzia lebbek, Gliricidia sepium, Moringa oleifera and Millettia thoningii. Rumen fluid was obtained from two fistulated forest type wethers for the in vitro evaluation. The DM, crude protein (CP), ash, CT, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), cellulose and lignin were 866-916 g/kg, 101-303 g/kg DM, 74.7-200 g/kg DM, 0.9-1.3 g/kg DM, 202-552 g/kg DM, 205-520 g/kg DM, 94-381 g/kg DM and 105-192 g/kg DM respectively. The organic matter digestibility (OMD), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro gas production (IVGP), metabolisable energy (ME) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) of the four browse species and their combinations recorded were 314.9-721.6 g/kg DM, 515.4-721 ml/g DM, 139-602 ml/g DM, 314.6-1406.9 ml/g DM and 3.1-14.4 ml/g DM respectively. There were positive associative effects shown by the combined browse leaves between IVDMD and IVGP. The regression analyses revealed that relationships between IVGP and CP and IVDMD and CT and all relationships between OMD, SCFA, ME and IVGP were significant (p<0.05). All the browse species and their combinations had IVDMD values of more than 500 g/kg DM and low gas production. The high CP and ash contents, low CTs, low to moderate fibre components, moderate to high IVDMD and low IVGP of the four browse species and their combinations make them potentially valuable as feed resources for small ruminant production. Introduction the calculation of the fraction degraded which The production of gas parameters of browse may either be fermented to produce volatile species might indicate variations in their fatty acids (VFAs) or incorporated into the nutritional content that may be closely related biomass of microbes and energy levels of to their chemical components (Cerrillo and browse species (Blummel et al. 2003; Salem Juarez, 2004).The in vitro gas production et al., 2007). Additionally, IVGP technique (IVGP) technique has become an important is valuable when evaluating the potential of tool to assess potential rumen digestibility browse species containing tannins in nutrition of ruminants diets (Getachew et al. 2002; of ruminants (Salem et al. 2007; Norman et al., Salem et al., 2007). This technique permits 2010). The physicochemical components of West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 28(2), 2020: 106 - 117 107 West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 28(2), 2020 feeds influence the dynamics of fermentation between 24ºC and 33 ºC. in the rumen (Tedeschi et al., 2009). The use of browse species as a supplement to Preparation of forage samples, procedure for roughage or fibrous feeds is common (Annan data collection and estimation of outputs and Tuah, 1999; Fleischer et al. 2000; Sarkwa, Fresh samples of Albizzia lebbek (AL), 2008; Idan, 2014; Adjorlolo et al., 2020) but Gliricidia sepium (GS), Moringa oleifera the use of browse species as a complete feed (MO) and Millettia thonningii (MT) were is not. This may be due to low dry matter collected monthly in May, June and July (DM) limiting its potential to influence live for wet season and December, January and weight gain and high CT (Condensed tannins) February for dry season to represent early, (> 40 g/kg DM) content which reduces its mid and late collections for both seasons. All intake, availability of metabolisable energy collected samples were sun dried for 48 hours (ME) and absorption of amino acid by and ground. Both wet and dry season samples animals (McSweeney et al., 2001; Basha were bulked for the analyses (early wet and et al., 2012). Drying of browse species may dry: Replicate 1; mid wet and dry: Replicate improve DM content and reduce CT levels 2; late wet and dry: Replicate 3) and were and its astringency. However, the chemical mixed thoroughly for each browse leaves. The composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility same principle of bulking early wet and dry (IVDMD), IVGP, SCFA (Short chain fatty season as Replicate 1, mid wet and dry season acids), OMD (Organic matter Digestibility) as Replicate 2 and late wet and dry season and ME of dried forms (48 hours sun were used to formulate the combinations of dried) of the four browse species and their the browse leaves. This sample collection was combinations and the samples taken in both done to have a good representation for the whole wet and dry seasons and bulked to reveal the year. Rice straw was chopped and treated with quality of these browse leaves throughout urea (Fleischer et al. 2000). Urea treated rice the year have not been documented. This gap straw (UT) was added to this study because is what this study sought to address. It was it is one of the dry season feeding strategies hypothesized that IVDMD will highlight the (Fleischer et al., 2000; Amaning-Kwarteng et benefit of combining the dried browse species al., 2010) just as browse leaves was used as in feeding sheep and there may be positive control. The browse species used in this study associative effects. The objective of this study were Albizzia lebbek (AL), Gliricidia sepium was to determine the potential benefits of (GS), Moringa oleifera (MO), Millettia feeding small ruminants on dried leaves of thonningii (MT), AL+MO+MT, AL+GS+MT, four browse species and their combinations. AL+GS+MO+MT, AL+MO+GS, AL+MO, This was done by evaluating the chemical AL+MT, AL+GS, GS+MT, MO+GS, composition, IVDMD, IVGP, ME, SCFA and MO+GS+MT, MO+MT and urea treated OMD of four dried browse species and their rice straw. Proximate, fibre components and combinations. CT were determined using the methods of A.O.A.C (2016), Goering and Van Soest Materials and Methods (1970) and butanol-HCl method as described by Iqbal et al. (2011) respectively. Location The IVDMD was analysed by the method of The study was carried out at the Livestock and Menke and Steingass (1988). Rumen liquor Poultry Research Centre (LIPREC), University for the in vitro work was obtained from two of Ghana, Legon (5˚ 68’N, 0˚10’W). The forest type fistulated wethers of average pattern of rainfall is bimodal with the major weight 23kg. The fistulation was carried out rains in June while the minor is in September- by using the Required Surgical Procedures October. Total rainfall ranges from 508 mm for fistulating the gastrointestinal tract as to 743 mm annually. Temperatures varies documented by the Department of Primary Sarkwa et al: Chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility and Gas production 108 Industries of New South Wales Government, in an oven at 105 ºC for 24 hours. The dried Australia (NSM Government, 2012). Modified samples (DS) were weighed and the difference version of rumen cannulae as described by between the initial weight (IW) and the DS Elices et al. (2010) was used. The fistulated was noted as degraded weight (DW). IVDMD animals were fed fresh Panicum maximum (%) was calculated as follows: (Average daily Energy intake was 21.88 MJ/ kg DM) and provided water on ad lib basis. IW – DS = DW…………………............ (i) There was two weeks feed adjustment period before collection of rumen fluid. The rumen IVDMD (%) = DW/ IW X 100 % ……..(ii) content was collected through the cannulae between 8am- 9am before feeding. The rumen Rumen liquor was obtained from two fistulated content was strained through four layers of forest type wethers of average weight 23kg for cheese cloth to obtain the rumen liquor. The the IVGP. The IVGP was carried out by the use of fistulated animals was approved by procedure of Menke and Steingass (1988) as Noguchi Institutional Animal Care and Use validated by Anele et al. (2009). The pistons Committee of University of Ghana, Legon were greased with vaseline and 200 mg of each (Protocol number 2017-02-2R). of the samples were weighed into the syringes Half gram each of the samples were weighed (Triplicate per each sample). Rumen fluid in duplicates and placed into a labelled 50 ml was collected from two fistulated forest type centrifuge tube. Twenty eight millilitres (28 wethers and was strained through two layers of ml) of McDougall’s solution was poured into cheese cloth into a warm two litres flask filled each of the centrifuge tubes and prewarmed in with carbon dioxide. A medium comprising of water bath at 39 ºC. A buffer and ruminal fluid water, micro element solution, buffer solution, solution (in a ratio of 4 to one) of 7 ml was resazurin and reduction solution was prepared. added. The tubes were flushed with carbon Two parts of the prepared medium was mixed dioxide and the caps were placed on the with one part of rumen fluid and kept under tube. The tubes were inverted several times carbon dioxide in a water bath at 39 ºC and to suspend the samples and placed on a rack. stirred using magnetic stirrer. Thirty millilitres Four blank tubes containing no sample and 35 (30 ml) of rumen fluid-medium mixture was ml McDougall’s to rumen fluid mixture were added to the piston glass syringe and pre- also placed on the rack. Then, the rack was warmed at 39 ºC. Any gas bubbles found in the placed into a water bath at 39 ºC. The tubes syringe was removed and the plastic clip on were incubated for 48 hours and inverted 2, 4, the rubber tube was closed. The syringe was 8, 20 and 28 hours after the start of incubation placed in a Hohenheim gas tester at 39 ±0.5 ºC. to suspend the samples. The tubes were The syringes were shaken automatically in the removed from the water bath after 48 hours Hohenheim gas tester. Production of gas was of incubation and were centrifuged for 15 noted at 3, 12 and 24 hours after incubation. minutes at 2000 xg. The liquid was suctioned Maize starch and Panicum maximum hay were off by vacuum and the samples were frozen used as standards for the IVGP work. Fifty until pepsin digestion was carried out. Thirty seven syringes were used per cycle (15 browse five millilitres (35 ml) of pepsin solution was + 1 UT (Urea treated straw) + 1 Starch + 1 poured into each tube and incubated for 48 Starch and Panicum maximum hay + 1 Blank hours in a water bath at 39 ºC. The samples = 19; 19 X 3 = 57). Gas production (Gp) was were shaken at 2, 4 and 6 hours after pepsin calculated as follows: solution was added. At the end of the pepsin digestion, the samples were filtered using the Gp = (V24 V0 - Gp0) (FH + FHS) / 2 ..(iii) modified Buchner funnel and ashless filter paper. The filter paper containing the samples V24 V0 is the total increase in volume of gas or were placed in an aluminium pan and dried gas produced at 24 hours for sample; 109 West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 28(2), 2020 Gp0 is volume of gas (ml) produced at 24 The data were analysed using a completely hours for blank (mixture of rumen fluid and randomised design and subjected to analyses medium); of variance (ANOVA) using GenStat (2009) FH is gas production for Panicum maximum version 12.1 according to the model as follows: hay (200 mg) at 24 hours; FHS is gas production for Panicum maximum Yij = μ + Ti + Eij ………………..(vii) hay (140 mg) and maize starch (60 mg). Menke and Steingass (1988) equations were Yij is the response variable such as DM, CT, used to estimate predicted SCFA, ME and Ash, CP, NDF, ADF, Cellulose and lignin, OMD as follows: IVDMD, IVGP, ME, OMD and predicted SCFA; µ is the overall mean; SCFA = 0.0239IVGP (ml/g DM;24 hours) 0.060 ..................................................(iv) Ti is the different browse leaves; Eij is the residual error. ME = 2.20 + 0.136 IVGP (ml/g DM; 24 hours) + 0.00574 CP…....................…(v) Significant differences were separated using Student Newman Keuls Test. Relationships between chemical composition, IVDMD, OMD=14.88 + 0.889 IVGP (ml/g DM; 24hours) IVGP, SCFA, OMD and ME were determined + 0.45CP + 0.651 Ash ………(vi) by regression analyses. This IVDMD and IVGP procedures were done in three different cycles. Results Chemical Composition and In Vitro Dry Experimental Design and Statistical Analyses Matter Digestibility TABLE 1 Proximate, Fibre and Condensed Tannins Content (g/kg DM) of Four Browse Species and their Combinations Sun Dried for 48 Hours Species DM CP Ash NDF ADF Cellulose Lignin CT AL 900a 287bcd 74.7a 453h 354.9g 156.fg 192g 1.2a GS 866a 288bcd 115cd 325d 257c 115.bc 139cd 0.9a MO 873a 330e 157f 202a 205a 94.a 105a 1.0a MT 894a 234a 109c 534j 391h 235.6k 139cd 1.1a AL + GS + MT 889a 270bc 102bc 493i 336f 187i 155ef 1.1a AL + GS + MO + MT 888a 289bcd 130e 398f 303e 151f 131bc 1.3a AL + MO + GS 887a 302bcd 139e 324d 268c 125c 149de 1.1a AL + MO + MT 889a 287bcd 117cd 419g 302e 167gh 143cde 1.2a AL + MO 885a 304cd 127de 320d 261c 125d 148de 1.1a AL + MT 895a 266b 94.6d 476i 351g 198j 162f 1.2a AL + GS 886a 284bcd 104bc 364e 305e 139.e 164f 1.1a GS + MT 887a 267b 110c 394f 327f 178h 139cd 1.0a MO + GS 877a 309de 141e 263b 236b 107b 138cd 1.1a MO+ GS + MT 877a 290bcd 135e 354e 289d 157fg 131bc 1.1a MO + MT 886a 286bcd 136e 287c 288d 168gh 124b 1.1a UT 916 101 200 552 520 381 191 - Means with different superscripts in a column are significantly different (p<0.05). DM= dry matter, CP= crude protein, NDF= neutral detergent fibre, ADF= acid detergent fibre, CT= condensed tannins NB: Chemical composition for UT was not statistically analysed because it was obtained as one bulk feed Sarkwa et al: Chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility and Gas production 110 TABLE 2 In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility (IVDMD), Gas Production(IVGP) (ml/g DM), Organic Matter Digestibility (OMD), Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) and Metabolisable Energy (ME) of Four Browse Species and their Combinations Sun Dried for 48 Hours OMD IVDMD IVGP IVGP IVGP IVGP SCFA ME Species (g/kg DM) (g/kg DM) (0-3hrs) (3-12hrs) (12-24hrs) (24hrs) (ml/g DM) (kJ/g DM) AL 419.0 cde 554 ab 101 ef 42.1 c 72.0 abcd 215. cd 5.1 cd 504.5 cde GS 399.3 bcd 721 c 118. g 16.8 ab 67.6 abcd 202 cd 4.8 bcd 474.4 bcde MO 442.2 de 631abc 61.8 ab 67.4 d 69.6 abcd 199 cd 4.7 bcd 466.2 bcde MT 314.9 a 581 ab 73.0 bcd 16.9 ab 55.0 abcd 139 a 5.6 d 364.9 ab AL + GS + MT 357.2 b 555 ab 84.3 cde 33.7 abc 56.0 abcd 174ab c 4.1 abc 407.9 abcd AL + GS + MO + MT 448.1 e 534 a 118 fg 67.4 d 61.4 abcd 246 d 5.8 d 575.6 e AL + MO + GS 382.0 bc 598 ab 78.6 bcde 44.9 c 37.0 ab 158 ab 3.7 ab 370.3 abc AL + MO + MT 315.4 a 586 ab 62.2 abc 27.7 abc 44.1 abc 134 a 3.1 a 314.6 a AL + MO 418.5 cde 590 ab 92.7 de 36.4 abc 77.9 bcd 207 cd 4.9 bcd 488.9 bcde AL + MT 371.5 b 602 ab 61.8 abc 112.3 e 28.3 a 202 bcd 4.8 bcd 474.9 bcde AL + GS 387.8 bc 586 ab 89.8 de 33.7 ac 93.6 cd 211 cd 5.0 bcd 495.3 bcde GS + MT 390.9 bc 561 ab 50.5 a 67.4 d 88.4 cd 206 cd 4.9 bcd 483.4 bcde MO + GS 439.3 de 676 bc 84.2 bde 33.7 abc 99.7 d 218 cd 5.1 cd 510.4 de MO+ GS + MT 423.5 cde 631 abc 89.8 de 44.8 c 79.2 bcd 214 cd 5.1 cd 501.4 cde MO + MT 444.0 de 658 abc 123.5 g 33.7 abc 80.9 bcd 238 d 5.6 d 557.8 e Urea treated straw(UT) 721.6 f 515.4 140.4 h 186 f 276 e 602 e 14.4 e 1406.9 f Means with different superscripts in a column are significantly different (p<0.05). NB: IVDMD of UT was not statistically analysed because it was obtained as one bulk feed The chemical component of the feeds used 2). In vitro dry matter digestibility tended to for the in vitro analyses have been presented increase with increasing crude protein levels in Table 1. The IVDMD values recorded as shown in Table 3.On the contrary, IVDMD range from 534.4-720.5 g/kg DM with the declined as ADF, lignin and cellulose contents browse leaves, Gliricidia sepium (GS) being increased (Table 3). In terms of positive the highest (p<0.05) and the combination associative effect, the combination of browse of Albizzia lebbek, Gliricidia sepium, leaves over sole browse in IVDMD were as Moringa oleifera and Millettia thoningii follows: combinations of AL had the highest (AL+GS+MO+MT) being the lowest (p<0.05) (AL+GS+MT, AL+MO+GS, AL+MO, as presented in Table 2. All samples of browse AL+MT, AL+GS and AL+MO+MT) followed species had more than 500 g/kg DM (Table by combinations of MT (AL+MO+MT, Fig. 1 Trend of in vitro gas production (IVGP) (ml/g DM) for 3, 12 and 24 hours of sole and combinations of four browse species 111 West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 28(2), 2020 TABLE 3 Relationships between IVDMD, IVGP, SCFA, OMD, ME and Chemical Composition of the Four Browse Species and their Combinations Relationship between parameters Equations Regression IVDMD & IVGP for four browse species and their combinations Y= 0.3583x+533.03 0.05 NS IVDMD & IVGP for four browse species Y= -0.5277x+721.02 0.06 NS IVDMD & IVGP for the combinations Y= 0.7212x+452.7 0.31 NS IVDMD & CP for four browse species and their combinations Y= 0.8258x+367.51 0.13 NS IVDMD & CP for four browse species Y=0.5849x+454.86 0.10 NS IVDMD & CP for the combinations Y=1.4214x+189.95 0.23 NS IVDMD & ADF for four browse species and their combinations Y= -0.6171x+787.91 0.35 NS IVDMD & ADF for four browse species Y= -0.7338x+788.9 0.46 NS IVDMD & ADF for the combinations Y= -0.7502x+820.22 0.34 NS IVDMD & Lignin for four browse species and their combinations Y=1.0132x+749.64 0.16 NS IVDMD & Lignin for four browse species Y= -0.9942x+764.21 0.24 NS IVDMD & Lignin for the combinations Y= -1.0451x+747.94 0.10 NS IVDMD & cellulose for four browse species and their combinations Y=0.6427x+702.43 0.22 NS IVDMD & Cellulose for four Browse Species Y= -0.6163x+722.73 0.33 NS IVDMD & Cellulose for the combinations Y= -0.5593x+683.98 0.14 NS IVGP & CP for four browse species and their combinations Y=5.0467x+53.167 0.12 NS IVGP &CP for four browse species Y =6.5979x+1.237 0.59 * IVGP & CP for the combinations Y =1.3486x+162.03 0.0035 NS CT & IVDMD for four browse species and their combinations Y= -0.0013x+1.8815 0.46 NS IVDMD & CT for four browse species Y= -0.019x+2.1976 0.99 * IVDMD & CT for the combinations Y= -0.0006x+1.4697 0.12 NS CT & IVGP for four browse species and their combinations Y= -2.535x+200.37 0.000006 NS CT & IVGP for four browse species Y= -38.95x+229.36 0.03 NS CT & IVGP for the combinations Y= -21.069x+1.2101 0.44 NS OMD & SCFA for four browse species and their combinations Y = 0.0269x-5.9631 0.9391 * OMD & SCFA for four browse species Y= 0.0133x-0.7685 0.83 * SCFA & IVGP for four browse species and their combinations Y=41.749x+2.946 1 * SCFA & IVGP for four browse species Y=41.924x+2.1803 1 * ME & IVGP for four browse species and their combinations Y=0.4314-3.5527 0.9986 * ME & IVGP for four browse species Y=0.5567x-62.967 0.9959 * OMD & IVGP for four browse species and their combinations Y=1.1241x-246.09 0.9395 * OMD & IVGP for four browse species Y=0.5561x-30.053 0.8301 * ME & SCFA for four browse species and their combinations Y=0.0103x-0.1557 0.9986 * ME & SCFA for four browse species Y=0.0133x-1.5527 0.9955 * NB: NS=Not significant * = p<0.05 AL+MT, MO+GS+MT and MO+MT), then browse species and their combinations (Table combinations of MO (MO+GS, MO+GS+MT 3). and MO+MT) and GS had none. Apart from the relationship between IVDMD and IVGP In Vitro Gas Production (IVGP), Short Chain for AL, GS, MO and MT samples (Table 3) Fatty Acids (SCFA) and Metabolisable Energy which was not consistent with the relationship (ME) between IVDMD and IVGP for the AL, The IVGP obtained in this study was between GS, MO and MT and their combinations 134.0-602.0 ml/g DM with AL+MO+MT (Table 3), the rest were consistent with their producing the lowest (p<0.05) and UT corresponding relationships for the four yielding the highest (p<0.05) as shown in Sarkwa et al: Chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility and Gas production 112 Table 2 and Figure 1. The UT recorded the Matter Digestibility (IVDMD) highest (p<0.05) gas production in all the three The CP values recorded in this study were periods (Table 2 and Figure 1). In general, similar to the CP values of browse leaves the largest volume of gas was produced reported in Ghana by some researchers within the first three hours, followed by the (Fleischer et al. 2000; Sarkwa et al., 2011). last twelve hours and the least between 3 to Balogun (1998) worked on CT concentration 12 hours (Table 2). All the browse species of 14 browse leaves in Australia including produced less than 100 ml/g DM between 12- Gliricidia sepium and Albizia lebbek. 24 hours (Table 2). Urea treated rice straw, Gliricidia sepium and Albizia lebbek recorded MO and GS produced more gas as period of less than 10 g/kg DM which was lower than incubation increased (Table 2). The SCFA the threshold of more than 40 g/kg which values recorded in this study ranged from 3.14 may have detrimental effect on digestibility – 14.35 ml/g DM (p<0.05) as shown in Table (McSweeney et al., 2001). However, the CT 2. AL+MO+MT recorded the lowest (p<0.05) values of browse leaves reported by Balogun SCFA level and UT the highest (p<0.05). et al. (1998) were higher than the values The ME values obtained in this current study recorded in this study (0.9-1.3 g/kg DM). The was between 314.6 kJ/g DM (p<0.05) and results obtained indicate that the dried browse 1406.9 kJ/g DM (p<0.05) as presented in species have moderate digestibility and are Table 2. Urea treated rice straw (UT) sample less fibrous. Therefore, these browse species recorded the highest (p<0.05) ME value and can be used for supplementing ruminants with AL+MO+MT, the lowest (p<0.05). The OMD limited need for concentrates since constraints values recorded in this current study was from to nutrient supply is due to digestion 314.90 g/kg DM (P<0.05) to 721.56 g/kg inefficiencies. The results of IVDMD were DM (P<0.05) as shown in Table 2. Regarding encouraging since all the browse species had positive associative effects of IVGP for the digestibility higher than 500g/kg DM. The combined browse leaves over the sole browse IVDMD levels of all browse species and their leaves: combinations of AL had the highest combinations were far higher than 450 g/kg (AL+GS+MT, AL+MO+GS, AL+MO+MT, DM quoted by Youngquist et al. (1990) to be AL+MO, AL+MT and AL+GS), followed acceptable for weight maintenance of cattle by combinations of GS (AL+GS+MT, in the tropics. This highlights the potential AL+MO+GS, AL+GS), then combinations of using these browse species and their of MO (AL+MO+GS, AL+MO+MT) and combinations in feeding sheep to obtain good combination of MT (AL+MO+MT) had the weight gain. least. The relationships between IVGP and CP In Vitro Gas Production (IVGP), Short of the four dried browse species and their Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA), Organic Matter combinations, IVGP and CP of the four Digestibility (OMD) and Metabolizable dried browse species and IVGP and CP for Energy (ME) combinations of the four dried browse species This study recorded IVGP of 134-245ml/g and all relationships between OMD, SCFA, DM for the browse species. This is in harmony ME and IVGP were positive (Table 3). Apart with 127-271ml/g DM and 200-221ml/g DM from the relationships between IVGP and CP reported by Abdala et al. (2012) in some and IVDMD and CT of the four sole browse Brazilian browses and Ammar et al. (2004) in species and all relationships between OMD, some Spanish browses respectively. However, SCFA, ME and IVGP which were significant Abdel-Fattah et al. (2005) reported a range of (p<0.05), the rest were not significant (p>0.05). 265-315ml/g DM and Fondevila et al. (2002) reported a range of 306-380 ml/g DM which Discussion were higher than the range recorded in this study. On the other hand, Anele et al. (2009) Chemical Composition and In Vitro Dry reported a lower range of 36.7-46 ml/g DM. 113 West African Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 28(2), 2020 Hristov et al. (2008) referred to an earlier from eight natural pasture from Iran. The report by Hungate (1966) and reported that low IVGP may be due to the presence of CT short-term incubations were more suitable in the browse species. Condensed tannins for estimating fermentation in the rumen than concentration in these plants ranged from long-term incubations. The differences in 0.9 to 1.3 g/kg DM. This confirms earlier gas production reported by various authors reports that total IVGP reduced in response working on browse species (Abdala et al., to increased CT levels (Huang et al., 2010; 2012; Ammar et al., 2004; Abdel-Fattah et al., Tan et al., 2011). Also, Mbugua et al (2008) 2005; Fondevila et al., 2002) is attributable and Theodoridou et al. (2011) reported that to differences regarding species, chemical lower IVGP from tropical forage legumes composition, condensed tannins content, containing CT may be because of degradation type of ruminant that the rumen fluid was of organic matter but not fermentation. Meale obtained from for the work and the duration et al. (2012) reported that samples with high of incubations. Gas production levels from IVGP are associated with higher methane different leaves vary and this could be due to production than samples with low IVGP. the nature and proportion of fibre present in This is understandable since Kulivand and the leaves (Rubanza et al., 2003). Kafilzadeh (2015) found that with increasing It is noteworthy that, UT produced majority of NDF and ADF, potential gas production and the the gas during the last twelve hours and this is fermentation rate constant decreased. The role not in agreement with the report by Sangkhom of NDF and ADF in this scenario is important et al. (2017) which indicated that, most of the in that, methane production and fibre content gas production occurred within the first twelve are directly proportional (Kirchgessner et al., hours when the authors used glycerol treated 1995; Jayanegara et al., 2009), however NDF rice straw. The difference in the amount of and ADF concentration in the current study are gas produced for rice straw could be due within acceptable level for stimulating rumen to the different treatment given to the rice function and saliva production and cannot be straw which may have altered its chemical considered too high for browse plants. This composition. According to Abdel-Fattah highlights the potential of using these browse (2005), rumen liquor from sheep, cattle and species and their combinations in feeding buffalo have different fermentation abilities. sheep to produce low and acceptable levels of Therefore, the difference in gas production methane. in the current study and that of Sangkhom et According to Van Soest (1994), substrate al. (2017) could be due to differences in the fermentation to propionate is due to the rumen liquor used, the current study obtained buffering of acids leading to less gas the liquor from sheep while Sangkhom et al. production. However, high amounts of gases (2017) obtained it from cattle. are formed if substrates are fermented to The low IVGP in the browse species samples produce butyrate and acetate (Van Soest, as compared to that of UT in the present 1994). Makkar et al. (1995) reported that the study may be because the browse species correlations between gas production and SCFA have high crude protein contents which may were highly significant. Similar relationship not have been fermented extensively. This in was obtained in this study because regressions agreement with the findings of Cone and Van between IVGP and SCFA were highly Gelder (2000) that protein is not fermented significant. High gas production is associated extensively and ammonia produced as a result with high production of SCFA and high OMD of fermentation decreases estimated volume (Makkar et al. 1995). of gas produced. This may be in contrast to Relationship between IVDMD and IVGP of gas produced from pasture grass whereby the four browse species alone was contrary Kulivand and Kafilzadeh (2015) found that CP to the relationship between IVDMD and was positively correlated with gas production IVGP of the four browse species and their Sarkwa et al: Chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility and Gas production 114 combinations. This confirms the report by not have any competing interest for this joint Abdel-Fattah (2005) which indicated that the publication. relationships between IVDMD and IVGP are not consistent. The difference in relationships References by different authors may be due to the treatment given to the browse species samples prior to Abdalla A.L, Helder L, Sobhy, M.A.H.S, the gas production work. For instance, in this Ives Cláudio da Silva B, Siu M.T and study the browse species were subjected to 48 Antonio Vargas de Oliveira, F. (2012). In hours sun drying whilst Abdel-Fattah (2005) vitro evaluation, in vivo quantification, and used the normal oven drying for laboratory microbial diversity studies of nutritional work. The relationships between IVDMD and strategies for reducing enteric methane CP and IVGP and CP were positive whilst production. Tropical Animal Health and the relationship between IVDMD and fibre Production, 44:953–964 components were negative and this confirms Abdel-Fattah, Z.M.S (2005). Impact of earlier reports by Ammar et al. (2004) and season of harvest on in vitro gas production Kulivand and Kafilzadeh (2015). Results of and dry matter degradability of Accacia this study corroborates the reports by Evitayani saligna leaves with inoculum from three et al. (2004) and Andualem et al. (2016) that ruminant species. Animal Feed Science there are strong positive relationships between and Technology, 123-124(1), 67-79. IVGP, OMD and ME. Adjorlolo, L., Nsoh, M., Mensah-Bonsu, A and Obese, F.Y. (2020). Effect of Conclusion pelleted browse-based feed with a basal diet of andropogon gayanus for sheep on The dried browse species and their intake, nutrient digestibility and some combinations were high in crude protein and haematological and blood biochemical ash, low in condensed tannins, low to moderate parameters. Online Journal of Animal and in fibre components, moderate to high Feed Research 10 (3):76-84. IVDMD and low IVGP. There were positive Amaning-Kwarteng, K., Egyir, I.K. and associative effects in the combined browse Adjorlolo, L.K. (2010). Performance of leaves with respect to IVDMD and IVGP. djallonke sheep fed untreated rice From the results, it can be concluded that the supplemented with urea-molasses block:1. four browse species and their combinations Comparison with urea-ammoniated rice are potentially valuable feed resources for straw. Ghanaian Journal of Animal Science, small ruminant production. 5(2), 1-8. Ammar, H, Lopez, S, Gonzalez, J.S, and Acknowledgements Maria, J.R. (2004). Chemical Composition and in vitro digestibility of some Spanish This study was mainly funded by University browse plants species. Journal of Science, of Ghana Faculty Development Fund and Food and Agriculture. 84:197-204. partially by TRECCAFRICA (European Andualem, D, Negesse, T, and Tolera, A. Union). The logistics support of Livestock and (2016). Methane concentration, organic Poultry Research Centre, University of Ghana, matter digestibility, metabolizable energy Legon is highly appreciated. This work is a and short chain fatty acid production of component of PhD research of the first author morphological fractions of stinging nettle at University of Botswana. Authors are very (Urtica simensis) measured through an in grateful to Dr. R. Ayizanga for assisting with vitro gas test. Global Veterinaria 16:276- data analyses. 284. 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